Manager, PV Engineering

Intersect is a company focused on innovative energy solutions and modern infrastructure, recently acquired by Google to enhance its capabilities. The PV Engineering Manager will lead the electrical engineering scope for utility-scale solar PV projects, overseeing technical design, managing external stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with various standards throughout the project lifecycle.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and maintain ownership over the technical design (system sizing, equipment selection, electrical modeling, and balance of system) to ensure performance over the life of the system meets the required contractual off-take agreements and financial model expectations
• Manage external engineering stakeholders (EPC engineering teams, Owner’s Engineer, Independent Engineer), drive technical decisions, and review/approve key deliverables to ensure compliance with PPA/IA, codes/standards, technical specifications, and constructibility expectations
• Lead equipment and technology selection, analyzing new technology with suppliers, EPCs, and IEs to understand bankability, performance, and design impactsResponsible for
• Lead and manage the Independent Engineer (IE) diligence process during project financing, including managing the IE scope and supporting responses/closeout of diligence items
• Lead the development of electrical sizing and analysis tools/ software to generate quick and comprehensive design calculations, performance results and estimates
• Own development and maintenance of technical specifications, design criteria, standards, and exhibits (EPC technical exhibits, testing protocols, vendor specifications, etc.) to ensure all documentation is comprehensive and maintains a high-quality product
• Serve as technical lead in vendor and EPC interactions, review proposals and technical schedules, and support contract exhibit negotiations
• Review constructibility and support field execution through COD, respond to RFIs/submittals, support commissioning plans and testing, and resolve electrical issues through COD
• Support EPC RFPs and commercial supply agreements to ensure technical requirements are accurately defined and reflected while ensuring lower LCOE
• Work cross functionally with development, land, engineering, procurement, construction and O&M teams to ensure designs align with site constraints, permitting, schedule, and commercial requirements
• Interface, communicate, and establish relationships with vendors and suppliers in direct support of the Procurement team
• Ensure timely and cost-effective resolutions for regulatory, permitting, and technical issues associated with the execution and delivery of PV facilities
• Ensure the highest level of environmental health and safety standards in all engineering with aspects of the facility

Requirements:

• Minimum of 6 years of technical experience including meaningful utility-scale solar PV electrical engineering experience (developer, EPC, or owner's engineer)
• Demonstrated ownership of electrical scope for large PV projects (e.g., MV collection, plant electrical design packages, construction support, commissioning support)
• Project engineering, effective time management and ability to prioritize tasks via solid project management skills
• Technical background in utility scale power conversion, transformers, inverters and battery technology
• Experience developing technical specs and evaluating major equipment vendors
• Working knowledge and practical understanding of the relevant codes and standards for PV modules, DC collection and PV inverters (NEC, IBC, IFC, NFPA, UL, IEC, ISO/TSP requirements for grid following/ forming PV plants e.g. ERCOT/CAISO) and how they are applied to the various life cycles of permitting, design, construction, and operation
• Deep understanding of the photovoltaic technology, trackers, and inverters; advantages and trade-offs of the different technologies, system design, optimization levers, cost drivers, contracting pitfalls, construction challenges, life-cycle use and challenges
• Must have knowledge and understanding of scripting languages to automate engineering calculations e.g. VBA, Matlab, Python
• Background in power plant controls architecture and SCADA is a plus
• Commercially minded engineer focused on LCOE/LCOS
• Possesses the ability to quantify risk and opportunities around unknowns in design and technology
• Understands PV and ESS development processes
• Thrives in a cross functional environment, able to guide discussion and identify dependencies between design, production, cost, land use, and LCOE
• Strong coordination skills across internal stakeholders and external engineering/EPC partners